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TEX FLETCHER BIOGRAPHY

Birth name: Geremino Bisceglia
Nickname: Lonely Cowboy
Height: 6'
Spouse: Ada Mae Henkel Fletcher (April 1945-September 2003)

Tex was born in Harrison, NY, the fifth of eight children, the son of Italian immigrants: Father Michael (stone mason), mother Josephine. Tex left home at age 15, joined circus, traveled across the US and Canada. Settled in South Dakota where he learned to handle horse and cattle, becoming a 'real' cowboy. Returned to New York in the early '30s. Took radio job as singing cowboy on WFAS in White Plains, NY. Tex eventually landed as Cowboy Answer Man on WWOR, New Jersey. Was heard by Hollywood talent scouts at the height of singing cowboy craze. After one screen test, was signed to do a series of Grand National "horse-operas." Upon release of the first film "Six-Gun Rhythm," Grand National went belly-up, leaving the only existing prints of the film unreleased. Tex literally "took the bull by the horns" and set out on a one-man promotional tour for the film of the Northeast US. Tex personally booked and travelled to each movie house, opening the showing with a couple of songs, showing the film and then signing autographs for fans after the film was over. After this, Tex had no taste for Hollywood whatsoever and turned down all subsequent offers to continue the series from other movie production companies. Served World War II, reaching the rank of Sergeant. At the end of the war, married and started family - 5 children: Robert (1947-1999), Jayne, Kathy, George, and Michael. Returned to radio, night clubs (Village Barn, Manhattan) and television (ABC, NBC, WOR). Last album released 1964. During career recorded for London, Decca, Dakota, and others.

Trivia:

  • Left-handed guitarist
  • Appeared in first test broadcast of the National Broadcasting System (NBC-TV).
  • He joined ASCAP in 1950, and his chief musical collaborators were Leonard Whitcup, Richard Kuhn, and George Henkel. His popular-song compositions include "Lyin' Lips," "Holdin' Hands," "Will Bill Hickock," "Butterfingers," "Pearls and Wine," and "The Wall You Built."

All information on this site is copyright George A. Fletcher. All music is copyright Tex Fletcher (ASCAP). No materials may be reproduced without the express permission of George A. Fletcher. To contact George, email hisnibs@georgefletcher.com.